Safety mechanisms, wake up and shutdown methods in distributed power installations

ABSTRACT

A distributed power system including multiple DC power sources and multiple power modules. The power modules include inputs coupled respectively to the DC power sources and outputs coupled in series to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the serial string to output power. A signaling mechanism between the inverter and the power module is adapted for controlling operation of the power modules.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/372,009, filed Feb. 13, 2012, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 12/329,525, filed Dec. 5, 2008, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/992,589, filedDec. 5, 2007. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/329,525, filed Dec. 5, 2008is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/950,271, filedDec. 4, 2007, which claims the benefit of each of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/916,815, filed May 9, 2007, U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/908,095, filed Mar. 26, 2007, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/868,962, filed Dec. 7, 2006, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/868,851, filed Dec. 6, 2006, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/868,893, filed Dec. 6, 2006. The present applicationalso is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/323,531,filed Jul. 3, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/328,742, filed Dec. 4, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/950,271, filed Dec. 4, 2007. Each of theabove-mentioned disclosures are included herein by reference in itsentirety and for all purposes.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to distributed power systems and, moreparticularly, wake-up and shutdown algorithms for the photovoltaicdistributed power systems.

Utility networks provide an electrical power system to utilitycustomers. The distribution of electric power from utility companies tocustomers utilizes a network of utility lines connected in a grid-likefashion, referred to as an electrical grid. The electrical grid mayconsist of many independent energy sources energizing the grid inaddition to utility companies energizing the grid, with each independentenergy source being referred to as a distributed power (DP) generationsystem. The modern utility network includes the utility power source,consumer loads, and the distributed power generation systems which alsosupply electrical power to the network. The number and types ofdistributed power generation systems is growing rapidly and can includephotovoltaics, wind, hydro, fuel cells, storage systems such as battery,super-conducting flywheel, and capacitor types, and mechanical devicesincluding conventional and variable speed diesel engines, Stirlingengines, gas turbines, and micro-turbines. These distributed powergeneration systems are connected to the utility network such that theyoperate in parallel with the utility power sources.

A conventional installation of a solar distributed power system 10,including multiple solar panels 101, is illustrated in FIG. 1. Since thevoltage provided by each individual solar panel 101 is low, severalpanels 101 are connected in series to form a string 103 of panels 101.For a large installation, when higher current is required, severalstrings 103 may be connected in parallel to form overall system 10. Theinterconnected solar panels 101 are mounted outdoors, and connected to amaximum power point tracking (MPPT) module 107 and then to an inverter104. MPPT 107 is typically implemented as part of inverter 104 as shownin FIG. 1. The harvested power from DC sources 101 is delivered toinverter 104, which converts the direct-current (DC) intoalternating-current (AC) having a desired voltage and frequency, whichis usually 110V or 220V at 60 Hz, or 220V at 50 Hz. The AC current frominverter 104 may then be used for operating electric appliances or fedto the power grid.

As noted above, each solar panel 101 supplies relatively very lowvoltage and current. A problem facing the solar array designer is toproduce a standard AC current at 120V or 220V root-mean-square (RMS)from a combination of the low voltages of the solar panels. The deliveryof high power from a low voltage requires very high currents, whichcause large conduction losses on the order of the second power of thecurrent g. Furthermore, a power inverter, such as inverter 104, which isused to convert DC current to AC current, is most efficient when itsinput voltage is slightly higher than its output RMS voltage multipliedby the square root of 2 (which is the peak voltage). Hence, in manyapplications, the power sources, such as solar panels 101, are combinedin order to reach the correct voltage or current. A large number ofpanels 101 are connected into a string 103 and strings 103 are connectedin parallel to power inverter 104. Panels 101 are connected in series inorder to reach the minimal voltage required for inverter 104. Multiplestrings 103 are connected in parallel into an array to supply highercurrent, so as to enable higher power output.

FIG. 1B illustrates one serial string 103 of DC sources, e.g., solarpanels 101 a-101 d, connected to MPPT circuit 107 and inverter 104. Thecurrent versus voltage (IV) characteristics is plotted (110 a-110 d) tothe left of each DC source 101. For each DC power source 101, thecurrent decreases as the output voltage increases. At some voltagevalue, the current goes to zero, and in some applications the voltagevalue may assume a negative value, meaning that the source becomes asink. Bypass diodes (not shown) are used to prevent the source frombecoming a sink. The power output of each source 101, which is equal tothe product of current and voltage (P−i*V), varies depending on thevoltage drawn from the source. At a certain current and voltage, closeto the falling off point of the current, the power reaches its maximum.It is desirable to operate a power generating cell at this maximum powerpoint (MPP). The purpose of the MPPT is to find this point and operatethe system at this point so as to draw the maximum power from thesources.

In a typical, conventional solar panel array, different algorithms andtechniques are used to optimize the integrated power output of system 10using MPPT module 107. MPPT module 107 receives the current extractedfrom all of solar panels 101 together and tracks the maximum power pointfor this current to provide the maximum average power such that if morecurrent is extracted, the average voltage from the panels starts todrop, thus lowering the harvested power. MPPT module 107 maintains acurrent that yields the maximum average power from system 10.

However, since power sources 101 a-101 d are connected in series tosingle MPPT 107, MPPT 107 selects a maximum power point which is someaverage of the maximum power points of the individual serially connectedsources 101. In practice, it is very likely that MPPT 107 would operateat an I-V point that is optimum for only a few or none of sources 101.In the example of FIG. 1B, the selected point is the maximum power pointfor source 101 b, but is off the maximum power point for sources 101 a,101 c and 101 d. Consequently, the arrangement is not operated at bestachievable efficiency.

The present applicant has disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 11/950,271 entitled “Distributed Power Harvesting System Using DCPower Sources”, the use of an electrical power converter, e.g., DC-to-DCconverter, attached to the output of each power source, e.g.,photovoltaic panel. The electrical power converter converts input powerto output power by monitoring and controlling the input power at amaximum power level.

The term “signaling” or “signaling mechanism” as used herein refers toeither a signal modulated on an electromagnetic carrier signal or asimple unmodulated signal such as an on/off signal “keep alive” signalor “dry contact” signal. For a modulated signal, the modulation methodmay be by any such method known in the art by way of example, frequencymodulation (FM) transmission, amplitude modulation (AM), FSK (frequencyshift keying) modulation, PSK (phase shift keying) modulation, variousQAM (Quadrature amplitude modulation) constellations, or any othermethod of modulation.

The term “power module” as used herein includes power converters such asa DC-DC power converter but also includes modules adapted to control thepower passing through the module or a portion of the power, whether byswitching or other means.

SUMMARY

The following summary of the invention is included in order to provide abasic understanding of some aspects and features of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention and as such it isnot intended to particularly identify key or critical elements of theinvention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purposeis to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided adistributed power system including a DC power source and a power module.The power module includes an input coupled respectively to the DC powersource and an output. An inverter is coupled to the output. The inverterconverts power input from the output of the power module to outputpower. A signaling mechanism between the inverter and the power moduleis adapted for controlling operation of the power module. Duringoperation of the distributed power system, in some embodiments, thesignaling mechanism may superimpose a signal on the output of the powermodule. The signaling mechanism may include a switch integrated with theinverter, the switch modulating the signal onto the output of the powermodule. A receiver integrated with the power modules receives the signalfrom the inverter. Alternatively a detection mechanism in the powermodule detects a signal at the frequency of the electrical grid.Alternatively, a signal from the electrical grid is detected in theoutput of the power module at a higher frequency up-converted from thefrequency of the electrical grid. Alternatively, a detection mechanismin the power module detects a switching frequency of the inverter. Thepower modules are may be configured for operation in a safety mode, andduring the safety mode, the power at the output of the power module, thevoltage across the output of the power module, and/or the currentflowing through it, are limited so as not to endanger personnel. Thepower module may include a detection mechanism wherein during operationof the distributed power system, the detection mechanism detects asignal from the inverter. Based on the signal, the operation of thepower module is varied from the safety mode of operation to a normalmode of operation for converting power of the DC power source from theinput to the output of the power module.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod for operating a distributed power system. The system includes aDC power source and a power module. The power module includes an inputcoupled to the DC power source. The power module includes an output. Aninverter is coupled to the output of the power module. The inverterconverts a power output from the power module to an output power. Themethod includes operating the power modules in a safety mode by limitingthe power output from the power module. The safety mode is characterizedby having less than a predetermined amount (e.g. ten milliamperes) ofcurrent flow and/or less than a predetermined amount (e.g. 2 Volts)through the output of the power module. A signal from the inverter ispreferably monitored and upon detecting the signal from the inverter,the power input to the inverter is increased by operating the powermodule in a normal mode of operation for converting power of the DCpower source from the input to the output of the power module. Upondetecting the signal and prior to the operation of the power module inthe normal mode of operation, the voltage of the output of the powermodule is preferably ramped up slowly. The normal mode of operation ofthe power module may include controlling a maximum peak power at theinput coupled to the DC power sources.

The foregoing and/or other aspects will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, exemplify embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain andillustrate principles of the invention. The drawings are intended toillustrate various features of the illustrated embodiments in adiagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict everyfeature of actual embodiments nor relative dimensions of the depictedelements, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional power harvesting systemusing photovoltaic panels as DC power sources;

FIG. 1B illustrates current versus voltage characteristic curves for oneserial string the DC power sources of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a distributed powerharvesting circuit, based on the disclosure in U.S. application Ser. No.11/950,271, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a simplified block diagram of a DC-to-DC converter, includinga feature of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary DC-to-DC converter, is a simplifiedblock diagram illustrating in more detail;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of another exemplary system,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a simplified block diagram illustrating in more detail, apower module according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is a simplified block diagram illustrating in more detail, asignaling mechanism attached to a conventional inverter, according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a method for wake-upand shutdown of a power harvesting system with a safety mode, accordingto a feature of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a flow diagram illustrating methods for wake-up and shutdownof a power harvesting system, according to embodiments of the presentinvention, the flow diagram including method steps performed by thepower converters/modules; and

FIG. 6 is another flow diagram illustrating methods for wake-up andshutdown of a power harvesting system, according to embodiments of thepresent invention, the flow diagram including method steps performed bythe inverter of FIG. 2 or signaling block of FIG. 4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elementsthroughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the presentinvention by referring to the figures.

It should be noted, that although the discussion herein relatesprimarily to wake-up and shutdown methods in photovoltaic systems andmore particularly to those systems previously disclosed in U.S.application Ser. No. 11/950,271, the present invention may, bynon-limiting example, alternatively be configured as well usingconventional photovoltaic distributed power systems and otherdistributed power systems including (but not limited to) wind turbines,hydroturbines, fuel cells, storage systems such as battery,super-conducting flywheel, and capacitors, and mechanical devicesincluding conventional and variable speed diesel engines, Stirlingengines, gas turbines, and micro-turbines.

By way of introduction, it is important to note that aspects of thepresent invention have important safety benefits. While installing orperforming maintenance on photovoltaic systems according to certainaspects of the present invention, installers are protected from dangerof shock or electrocution since systems according to embodiments of thepresent invention do not output potentially dangerous high voltageand/or currents when an operational inverter is not connected duringinstallation and maintenance procedures.

Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of design and the arrangement of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and shouldnot be regarded as limiting.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates a distributed powerharvesting circuit 20, based on the disclosure in U.S. application Ser.No. 11/950,271. Circuit 20 enables connection of multiple distributedpower sources, for example solar panels 101 a-101 d, to a single powersupply. Series string 203 of solar panels 101 may be coupled to aninverter 204 or multiple connected strings 203 of solar panels 101 maybe connected to a single inverter 204. In configuration 20, each solarpanel 101 a-101 d is connected individually to a separate powerconverter circuit or a module 205 a-205 d. Each solar panel 101 togetherwith its associated power converter circuit 205 forms a power generatingelement 222. (Only one such power generating element 222 is marked inFIG. 2.) Each converter 205 a-205 d adapts optimally to the powercharacteristics of the connected solar panel 101 a-101 d and transfersthe power efficiently from input to output of converter 205. Converters205 a-205 d are typically microprocessor controlled switchingconverters, e.g. buck converters, boost converters, buck/boostconverters, flyback or forward converters, etc. The converters 205 a-205d may also contain a number of component converters, for example aserial connection of a buck and a boost converter. Each converter 205a-205 d includes a control loop 221, e.g. MPPT loop that receives afeedback signal, not from the converter's output current or voltage, butrather from the converter's input coming from solar panel 101. The MPPTloop of converter 205 locks the input voltage and current from eachsolar panel 101 a-101 d at its optimal power point, by varying one ormore duty cycles of the switching conversion typically by pulse widthmodulation (PWM) in such a way that maximum power is extracted from eachattached panel 101 a-101 d. The controller of converter 205 dynamicallytracks the maximum power point at the converter input. Feedback loop 221is closed on the input power in order to track maximum input powerrather than closing a feedback loop on the output voltage as performedby conventional DC-to-DC voltage converters.

As a result of having a separate MPPT circuit in each converter 205a-205 d, and consequently for each solar panel 101 a-101 d, each string203 may have a different number or different specification, size and/ormodel of panels 101 a-101 d connected in series. System 20 of FIG. 2continuously performs MPPT on the output of each solar panel 101 a-101 dto react to changes in temperature, solar radiance, shading or otherperformance factors that effect one or more of solar panels 101 a-101 d.As a result, the MPPT circuit within the converters 205 a-205 d harveststhe maximum possible power from each panel 101 a-101 d and transfersthis power as output regardless of the parameters effecting other solarpanels 101 a-101 d.

The outputs of converters 205 a-205 d are series connected into a singleDC output that forms the input to inverter 204. Inverter 204 convertsthe series connected DC output of converters 205 a-205 d into an ACpower supply. Inverter 204, regulates the voltage at the input ofinverter 204. In this example, an independent control loop 220 holds thevoltage input to inverter 204 at a set value, say 400 volts. The currentat the input of inverter 204 is typically fixed by the power availableand generated by photovoltaic panels 101.

According to a feature of the present invention, information regardingwakeup or shut-down may be conveyed from inverter 204 to converters 205.The information may be transmitted using any of the methods well knownto those experienced in the art. According to certain embodiments, amodulation method may be used, by way of example, frequency modulation(FM) transmission, amplitude modulation (AM), FSK (frequency shiftkeying) modulation, PSK (phase shift keying) modulation, various QAM(Quadrature amplitude modulation) constellations, or any other method ofmodulation. Alternatively, inverter 204, while converting power from itsinput to its output, actively creates a frequency ripple in serialstring 203. During normal operation, the 100 Hz (or 120 Hz in USA)ripple is detectable in serial string 203 since the capacitors ofinverter 204 do not entirely block the alternating current (AC), and anadditional signaling mechanism is not required to produce the 100/120 Hzsignal in serial string 203. Alternatively or in addition, one or moreswitching frequencies of inverter 204, typically 16 Khz or 32 KHz may bedetectable as leakage or provided intentionally to serial string 203.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2A which illustrates a feature of thepresent invention. In FIG. 2A, converter 205 is shown in more detail.Integrated with power converter 205 is a detector/receiver 207,according to a feature of the present invention which is configured toreceive, optionally amplify and detect the signal, e.g at 100/120 Hzoriginating in inverter 204.

Controller 306 preferably either polls a signal input 209 fromreceiver/detector 207 or uses signal input 209 as an interrupt so thatonly when detector/receiver 207 detects the 100/120 Hz signal, is module205 in a normal operating mode converting power from its input to itsoutput. Receiver 207 is alternatively configured to detect the 16/32 KHzinverter switching frequency and provides an enabling signal tocontroller on signal input 209 while inverter 204 is operating.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates an exemplary DC-to-DCconverter 205, according to a feature of the present invention. DC-to-DCconverters are used to either step down or step up a DC voltage input toa higher or a lower DC voltage output, depending on the requirements ofthe output circuit. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 the DC-DCconverter 205 is used as a power converter, i.e., transferring the inputpower to output power, the input voltage varying according to the MPPTat the input, while the output current is dictated by the constant inputvoltage to inverter 104, 204. That is, the input voltage and current mayvary at any time and the output voltage and current may vary at anytime, depending on the operating condition of DC power sources 101.

Converter 205 is connected to a corresponding DC power source 101 atinput terminals 314 and 316. The converted power of the DC power source101 is output to the circuit through output terminals 310, 312. Betweenthe input terminals 314, 316 and the output terminals 310, 312, theconverter circuit includes input and output capacitors 320, 340,backflow prevention diodes 322, 342 and a power conversion circuitincluding a controller 306 and an inductor 308.

Diode 342 is in series with output 312 with a polarity such that currentdoes not backflow into the converter 205. Diode 322 is coupled betweenthe positive output lead 312 through inductor 308 which acts a short forDC current and the negative input lead 314 with such polarity to preventa current from the output 312 to backflow into solar panel 101.

A potential difference exists between wires 314 and 316 due to theelectron-hole pairs produced in the solar cells of panel 101. Converter205 maintains maximum power output by extracting current from the solarpanel 101 at its peak power point by continuously monitoring the currentand voltage provided by panel 101 and using a maximum power pointtracking algorithm. Controller 306 includes an MPPT circuit or algorithmfor performing the peak power tracking. Peak power tracking and pulsewidth modulation (PWM) are performed together to achieve the desiredinput voltage and current. The MPPT in controller 306 may be anyconventional MPPT, such as, e.g., perturb and observe (P&O), incrementalconductance, etc. However, notably the MPPT is performed on panel 101directly, i.e., at the input to converter 205, rather than at the outputof converter 205. The generated power is then transferred to the outputterminals 310 and 312. The outputs of multiple converters 205 may beconnected in series, such that the positive lead 312 of one converter205 is connected to the negative lead 310 of the next converter 205.

In FIG. 3, converter 205 is shown as a buck plus boost converter. Theterm “buck plus boost” as used herein is a buck converter directlyfollowed by a boost converter as shown in FIG. 3, which may also appearin the literature as “cascaded buck-boost converter”. If the voltage isto be lowered, the boost portion is substantially shorted. If thevoltage is to be raised, the buck portion is substantially shorted. Theterm “buck plus boost” differs from buck/boost topology which is aclassic topology that may be used when voltage is to be raised orlowered, and sometimes appears in the literature as “cascadedbuck-boost”. The efficiency of “buck/boost” topology is inherently lowerthen a buck or a boost. Additionally, for given requirements, abuck-boost converter will need bigger passive components then a buckplus boost converter in order to function. Therefore, the buck plusboost topology of FIG. 3 has a higher efficiency than the buck/boosttopology. However, the circuit of FIG. 3 continuously decides whether itis bucking or boosting. In some situations when the desired outputvoltage is similar to the input voltage, then both the buck and boostportions may be operational.

The controller 306 may include a pulse width modulator, PWM, or adigital pulse width modulator, DPWM, to be used with the buck and boostconverter circuits. Controller 306 controls both the buck converter andthe boost converter and determines whether a buck or a boost operationis to be performed. In some circumstances both the buck and boostportions may operate together. That is, the input voltage and currentare selected independently of the selection of output current andvoltage. Moreover, the selection of either input or output values maychange at any given moment depending on the operation of the DC powersources. Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, converter 205 isconstructed so that at any given time a selected value of input voltageand current may be up converted or down converted depending on theoutput requirement.

In one implementation, an integrated circuit (IC) 304 may be used thatincorporates some of the functionality of converter 205. IC 304 isoptionally a single ASIC able to withstand harsh temperature extremespresent in outdoor solar installations. ASIC 304 may be designed for ahigh mean time between failures (MTBF) of more than 25 years. However, adiscrete solution using multiple integrated circuits may also be used ina similar manner. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the buckplus boost portion of the converter 305 is implemented as the IC 304.Practical considerations may lead to other segmentations of the system.For example, in one aspect of the invention, the IC 304 may include twoICs, one analog IC which handles the high currents and voltages in thesystem, and one simple low-voltage digital IC which includes the controllogic. The analog IC may be implemented using power FETs which mayalternatively be implemented in discrete components, FET drivers, A/Ds,and the like. The digital IC may form controller 306.

In the exemplary circuit 205 shown, the buck converter includes inputcapacitor 320, transistors 328 and 330, diode 322 positioned in parallelto transistor 328, and inductor 308. Transistors 328, 330 each have aparasitic body diode 324, 326. The boost converter includes inductor308, which is shared with the buck converter, transistors 348 and 350 adiode 342 positioned in parallel to transistor 350, and output capacitor340. Transistors 348, 350 each have a parasitic body diode 344, 346.

System 20 includes converters 205 which are connected in series andcarry the current from string 203. If a failure in one of the seriallyconnected converters 205 causes an open circuit in failed converter 205,current ceases to flow through the entire string 203 of converters 205,thereby causing system 20 to stop functioning. Aspects of the presentinvention provide a converter circuit 205 in which electrical componentshave one or more bypass routes associated with them that carry thecurrent in case of an electrical component failing within one ofconverters 205. For example, each switching transistor of either thebuck or the boost portion of the converter has its own diode bypass.Also, upon failure of inductor 308 , the current bypasses the failedinductor 308 through parasitic diodes 344,346.

In FIG. 3, detector/receiver block 207 is shown which is configured toprovide an enable signal 209 to microcontroller 306 when thecommunications signal originating in inverter 104,204 is detected.

Reference in now made to FIGS. 4, which illustrate system 40, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, a singlestring 423 is shown of distributed power sources, e.g. solar panels 101a-101 d connected to respective power modules 405 a-d. Serial string 423is input to conventional inverter 104 through wires 412 and 410. Theoutput of inverter 104 is connected to and supplies electrical power tothe electrical grid. At the input of inverter 104, is connected asignaling mechanism 420 which superimposes a signal on serial string 423through wires 412 and 410 when inverter 104 is converting power to thegrid.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 4B which illustrates in more detailsignaling mechanism 420. Signaling mechanism 420 includes a relay 428which is normally open and controlled by a microcontroller 422. Relay428 is switched at a given rate, e.g. 100 Hz, and the signal issuperimposed by action of relay 428 onto serial string 423 over wires410 and 412. Microcontroller 422 typically provides the control of thesignal, e.g. 100 Hz, during normal operation of distributed power system40. Microcontroller 422 is typically connected to one or more sensors inorder to monitor the operation of inverter 104. In the example of FIG.4B, microcontroller 422 monitors over-voltage of the input DC voltage toinverter 104. The example shown in FIG. 4B includes an input DC voltagetap 432 connected to an analog to digital converter (A/D) 430, theoutput of which is provided to microcontroller 422. The tap 432 may be,e.g., a Hall-effect sensors, series connected resistor across which thevoltage drop is measured, etc. In one embodiment, an over-voltagecondition as measured by microcontroller 422, results in microcontroller422 stopping the signaling through relay 428 and/or opening one or moreprotective relays 424, 426 in series with the input DC voltage toinverter 104. Note that one switch 424 or 426 may be enough forperforming the required action, and two switches in series are shownsolely for the purpose of illustration that double protection might berequired by some regulatory bodies. A power management block 434 tapsvoltage for powering microcontroller 422 and any other activeelectronics components (not shown) in block 420.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4A which illustrates in more detailcertain aspects of power module 405. Integrated with power module 405 isdetector/receiver 207 which is configured to receive, optionally amplifyand detect the signal, e.g. at 100 Hz, produced by signal mechanism 420.Controller 306 preferably either polls signal input 209 or uses signalinput 209 as an interrupt so that only when detector/receiver 207detects the 100 Hz signal, is module 405 operating in a normal operatingmode. Power module 405 is shown to include a bypass diode 414.Optionally, power module 405 may include a conventional DC/DC switchingconverter with a control loop based on output power. Power module 405includes at least one switch 416 controlled by controller 306 whichfunctions to stop normal operation of power from the input of module 405to the output of 405 when signal input 209 is absent indicating thatinverter 104 is not transferring power to the electrical grid.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which illustrates a simplified methodfor safe operation of system 40, according to an aspect of the presentinvention. In step 501, active control circuits, e.g. microcontroller306, are turned on. Module 205, 405 begins operation (step 53) in asafety mode. In safety mode, output current and/or voltage from module405 is limited, for instance output voltage is limited to 2 volts andoutput current is limited to 10 mA so that a person can touch the wiresof serial string 203, 423 without any danger of electrocution.

Controller 306 maintains safety mode operation (step 53) until acommunications signal, e.g. 100 Hz, is received (decision box 505) byreceiver/detector 207 from inverter 204 or signaling block 420. When thecommunications signal is received (decision block 505) indicatinginverter 104 or 204 is connected and converting power, safety mode (step53) of operation ends. When the communications signal is received(decision block 505), module 405 preferably enters a normal operationmode (step 57), typically with maximum power point tracking. The normaloperation of transferring power is maintained as long as thecommunications signal, e.g. 100 Hz is received from inverter 204 orsignal mechanism 420, and no other warning condition is present. If thecommunications signal is not detected, or another warning condition ispresent, the normal mode (step 57) is typically ended and powerconversion of modules 405 is typically turned off If in decision box509, the communications signal is not detected, or another warningcondition is present, the normal mode (step 57) is typically ended andpower conversion of modules 405 is typically turned off.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5A, which illustrates a method 50 forwake-up and shutdown of module 405, according to embodiments of thepresent invention. Method 50 is applicable to both systems 20 and 40. Instep 501, active control circuits, e.g. microcontroller 306, are turnedon. Active control circuits are typically turned on (step 501) in theearly morning when there is sufficient light to power the active controlcircuits typically with voltage of DC voltage source 101 reaching threevolts. In decision block 503, when voltage output—or power output—fromDC voltage source 101 is sufficiently high and stable (e.g. voltageinput to module 405 is ten volts for a period of 30 seconds), thenmodule 205,405 begins operation (step 53) in a safety mode. In safetymode, output current and/or voltage from module 405 is limited, forinstance output voltage is limited to 2 volts and output current islimited to 10 mA so that a person can touch the wires of serial string203,423 without any danger of electrocution. Note also, that in thiscase even if 25 modules are connected in series, the maximum outputvoltage of the string doesn't exceed 50V—which means the string voltageis still safe. Referring back to FIG. 3, safety mode may be achieved bycontroller 306 in module 405 by turning on FET 330 and turning off FETS328, 348, and 350. Output wire 412 is held close to zero volts.Alternatively, the controller 306 may alternate the switches (e.g.switches 324 & 326 of buck converter) at a low duty-cycle in order tomaintain a low output voltage.

Referring back to Figure SA, controller 306 maintains safety modeoperation (step 53) until a communications signal, e.g. 100 Hz, isreceived by receiver/detector 207 from inverter 204 or signaling block420. When the communications signal is received (decision block 505)indicating inverter 104 or 204 is connected and converting power, safetymode (step 53) of operation ends. When the communications signal isreceived (decision block 505), module 405 preferably enters a voltagecontrol mode (step 55) and voltage output between wires 412,410 isslowly ramped up. Voltage continues to ramp up, typically as high as+60V until module 205,405 detects that current is being drawn (step507). When sufficient current is drawn (step 507), module 205, 405begins normal operation, (step 57) e.g. for module 205, the normal modeis the maximum power point (MPP) tracking mode of converting DC powerfrom its input to its output by maintain maximum power at its input. Thenormal operation of transferring power is maintained as long as thecommunications signal, e.g. 100 Hz is received from inverter 204 orsignal mechanism 420, and no other warning condition is present. If thecommunications signal is not detected, or another warning condition ispresent, the normal mode (step 57) is typically ended and powerconversion of modules 405 is typically turned off. Exemplary warningconditions in decision box 509, which cause module 205,405 to end normalmode (step 57) and to stop transferring power to its output include: (i)input voltage less than predetermined value, e.g. about 10 volts for 5seconds, (ii) rapid change in output voltage, for instance greater than20% in 100 milliseconds, (iii) reception of signal requesting to stopproducing power, (iv) not receiving a signal to produce power (in thecase where recurring “allow production” signals are required for theconverter to function), or (v) output exceeds over voltage thresholdcaused for instance when multiple modules 205 in string 203 areconverting power (step 57) and one of modules 205 of string 203 shutsdown, then the other modules 205 of string 203 have a raise of outputvoltage.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a method 60 performedby inverter 204 or signaling block 420 attached at the input of inverter104. In step 601, inverter 104 is off or inverter 204 is on standby, andnot converting power to its output. In decision box 603, startconditions for turning on inverter 104,204 are determined. Typically, asa safety requirement, inverter 104 delays operation (converting power toits output) until after at least 5 minutes of connection to afunctioning AC-grid at its output. This safety requirement may beachieved using microcontroller 422 and at least one of relays 424 and426 in signaling block 420. In inverter 204, a minimum voltage isrequired at the input to inverter 204 (e.g. if the safety output voltageof each module is 2V, and the minimal-length string allowed contains 5modules, the inverter will wait until at least 10V are present at its DCinput) and only thereafter does inverter 204 begin to charge its input,typically to a specified standard input of 400V.

In step 605, communications signal, e.g 100 Hz, is superimposed onserial string 203,423 either from signaling mechanism 420 or frominverter 204 for instance when at least a 50 Watt load is attached tothe output of inverter 204. In decision box 607, when the specifiedinput voltage is reached, e.g 400V for inverter 204, inverter 204 isturned on or inverter 104 is attached to serial string 423 by mechanism420. In decision box 609, if a time out occurs before the minimumspecified input voltage is reached of inverter 204,404 then inverter isreturned to the off or standby state (step 601). Otherwise inverter204,404 is connected or turned on in step 611. Inverter 204, 404 remainson and connected unless a warning condition (decision box 613) occurs.Possible warning conditions include, (i) disconnection from theelectrical grid, (ii) electrical grid stops producing power (islanding),(iii) less than 50 Watts transferred in the last minute, (iv) inputvoltage to inverter 204,404 is over the maximum limit, and (v) inputpower is over the maximum limit. If a warning condition occurs (decisionbox 613) communications signal is turned off (step 615) for inverter 404or inverter 204 is turned off or put into standby.

The present invention has been described in relation to particularexamples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that manydifferent combinations of hardware, software, and firmware will besuitable for practicing the present invention. Moreover, otherimplementations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. Various aspects and/or components of thedescribed embodiments may be used singly or in any combination in theserver arts. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of theinvention being indicated by the following claims.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

1. A method comprising: coupling a power module to a direct current (DC)power source; configuring the power module to receive input power fromthe DC power source; configuring the power module to provide outputpower to an inverter; monitoring a signal; and in response to thesignal, selectively operating the power module in a normal mode andoperating the power module in a safety mode.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the DC power source comprises one or more solar cells.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein selectively operating the power modulecomprises operating a switch which functions to stop a normal operationof power from an input of the power module to an output of the powermodule.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively operating thepower module comprises operating a direct current to direct current(DC/DC) converter.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring a signalcomprises receiving the signal from a signaling mechanism.
 6. The methodof claim 5, wherein receiving the signal from the signaling mechanismcomprises receiving the signal from the signaling mechanism integratedin the inverter.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the signalcomprises determining whether the signal has been received from asignaling mechanism.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring thesignal comprises monitoring the signal at a frequency of an electricalgrid.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the signal comprisesmonitoring the signal at a frequency of the inverter.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein monitoring the signal comprises monitoring the signaldelivered over an electrical conductor.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein monitoring the signal comprises monitoring a wireless signal.12. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively operating the powermodule in the normal mode comprises providing increased power at outputsof the power module compared to the safety mode.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein selectively operating the power module in the normal modecomprises using maximum power point tracking.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein selectively operating the power module in the safety modecomprises limiting at least one of voltage, current or power output bythe power module.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein selectivelyoperating the power module in the normal mode and operating the powermodule in the safety mode comprises switching operation from the normalmode to the safety mode in response to a first signal and switchingoperation from the safety mode to the normal mode in response to asecond signal.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the normalmode comprises using maximum power point tracking.
 17. An apparatuscomprising: a power module comprising: inputs terminals and outputterminals, wherein the input terminals are designed for coupling to adirect current (DC) power source, and the output terminals are coupledto an output for providing DC power to an inverter; a controller; and adetection mechanism configured to monitor a signal; and wherein thecontroller is configured to selectively operate the power module in anormal mode and operate the power module in a safety mode based on thedetection mechanism monitoring the signal.
 18. The apparatus of claim17, wherein the power module comprises a switch configured to stop anormal operation of power from an input of the power module to an outputof the power module.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the powermodule comprises at least one of a direct current to direct current(DC/DC) converter and a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC)converter.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the detectionmechanism is configured to monitor the signal at a frequency of theinverter.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the detection mechanismis configured to determine whether the signal has been received from asignaling mechanism.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the safetymode comprises limiting at least one of voltage, current or power outputby the power module.